Maine to DC Moving Guide
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Updated August 20, 2025
Planning a 671 mile interstate move from Maine to DC? This moving guide will help you compare living in Maine vs DC across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder winters), food & health (like Lobster Roll vs Half-Smoke), real estate & housing (colonial, cape cod vs row houses, federal), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in DC), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Lobster Roll and Clam Chowder, but get your taste buds ready for Half-Smoke & Mumbo Sauce on Chicken
- DC housing costs are 58% more expensive than they are in Maine
- Rent in DC is 32.09% more expensive than in Maine
- Moving from Maine to DC will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,000
- Our top recommended Maine to DC movers is Bookstore Movers

Top Maine to DC Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Maine to DC movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Bookstore Movers
Best moving company overall for Maine to DC

Mic's Moving

Vacationland Moving
Maine to DC Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Maine to DC
- Harsh winters
- Limited job opportunities
- Rural isolation
- Fewer cultural events
- Less diverse population
- Milder winters
- More job prospects
- Vibrant city life
- Rich in cultural events
- Diverse cultural melting pot
- Less natural scenery
- High cost of living
- Fast-paced lifestyle
- More crowded environment
- Noisy urban areas
- Coastal beauty
- Low cost of living
- Slower pace
- Close-knit communities
- Quieter atmosphere
Pros of moving from Maine to DC
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to milder winters
- Look forward to moving away from limited job opportunities and moving to DC with more job prospects
- Swap the rural isolation of Maine for vibrant city life in DC
- Get ready for a rich cultural scene in DC
Cons of moving from Maine to DC
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the coastal beauty in Maine to live with less natural scenery in DC
- You'll lose out on the pro of a low cost of living and have to settle for the con of a high cost of living
- Time to bid farewell to a slower pace and get used to a fast-paced lifestyle in DC
- Swap close-knit communities for a more crowded environment
Maine vs. DC: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Maine | DC |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Lobster Roll | Half-Smoke |
Most popular meat dish | Clam Chowder | Mumbo Sauce on Chicken |
Most popular street food item | Italian Sandwich | Food Truck Tacos |
Most popular vegan food | Blueberry Cobbler | Vegan Ethiopian Cuisine |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness (out of 10) | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks (out of 10) | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene (out of 10) | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly (out of 10) | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± |
If you're moving from Maine to DC, you will be trading the iconic Lobster Roll of Maine for the equally delicious Half-Smoke of DC. And while the locals in Maine rave about their flavorful Clam Chowder and sumptuous Italian Sandwich, DC residents know they have tasty Mumbo Sauce on Chicken and Food Truck Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Blueberry Cobbler they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan Ethiopian Cuisine of DC. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Maine eateries like Eventide Oyster Co., Fore Street, and The Lost Kitchen. After the boxes are unpacked in DC, don't wait too long before making your way to DC's acclaimed eateries like Ben's Chili Bowl, Rose's Luxury, and Zaytinya.
When comparing lifestyles, DC shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Maine. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in DC compared to what you are used to in Maine. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in DC.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Maine and DC
Comparison | Maine | DC |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Cape Cod | Row Houses, Federal |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Lakefront Access, Acreage | Proximity to Metro, Rooftop Decks |
- The Colonial and Cape Cod architecture that Maine is known for will be replaced with the Row Houses and Federal architecture typical of DC.
- Compared to Maine's real estate listings that commonly reference lakefront access and acreage, DC real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to metro and rooftop decks.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. DC is more walkable than Maine.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. DC is more bike-friendly than Maine.
- DC has more of an urban feel than Maine.
- DC housing costs are 58% more expensive than they are in Maine, with a median home price of $619,320 compared to Maineβs $392,358.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in DC have increased 8% compared to a 70% increase in Maine.
- Rent in DC is 32.09% more expensive than in Maine.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Maine and DC
Comparison | Maine | DC |
---|---|---|
Days of Sunshine per Year | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ |
Avg. Annual Humidity | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ |
Avg. UV Index | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ |
Natural Disasters | Snowstorms, Cold Waves | Heatwaves, Hurricanes |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 70-80 / 50-60 | 87-89 / 68-71 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 25-35 / 10-20 | 44-47 / 28-31 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 42 | 40 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 61 | 15 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Maine to DC. DC gets 2% more sunshine days than Maine.
- DC has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Maine.
- Say goodbye to the possible snowstorms and cold waves in Maine, but be on the lookout for potential heatwaves and hurricanes in DC.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in DC is 17 degrees warmer than in Maine.
- The average winter lows are 18 degrees warmer than they are in Maine.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in DC. DC receives 2 fewer inches of rain compared to Maine.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Maine and DC
Comparison | Maine | DC |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $69,543 | $101,027 |
Cost of Living Index | 116.5 | 140.1 |
State Income Tax | 5-7.15% | 4-10.75% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.09% | 0.61% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 5.5% | 6% |
Top 3 Industries | Healthcare, Fishing, Tourism | Government, Education, Tourism |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in DC tend to earn about 45% more than in Maine
- The COLI in DC is 20% higher than what you are used to living in Maine
- The state income tax in DC is 4-10.75% compared to 5-7.15% in ME
- The affluence in DC is high compared to moderate affluence in Maine
- The poverty level is low in DC compared to moderate poverty in Maine
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Maine and moderate in DC
Political and Religious Climate in Maine vs. DC
Comparison | Maine | DC |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Independent-leaning and mixed; large share of unenrolled voters; competitive statewide races; often splits tickets. | Overwhelmingly Democratic; supermajority Democratic registration; elections largely dominated by Democratic candidates. |
Local Politics | Many towns use town meeting/select board governance; frequent citizen-initiated referendums; ranked-choice voting used for federal offices and many primary contests. | Mayor-Council system under Home Rule with 8 wards and Advisory Neighborhood Commissions; laws and budget subject to congressional review; no voting members in Congress. |
Religion | Less religiously affiliated than national average; relatively high share of religiously unaffiliated; affiliated residents are primarily Christian (Catholic and Protestant). | More religiously diverse; broad mix of Christian denominations alongside Judaism, Islam, and other faiths; notable unaffiliated population as well. |
- Maine tends to lean independent-leaning and mixed with a large share of unenrolled voters and competitive statewide races; it often splits tickets in its political climate
- DC, on the other hand, is often described as overwhelmingly Democratic with a supermajority Democratic registration and elections largely dominated by Democratic candidates
- DC's religious environment can be described as more religiously diverse with a broad mix of Christian denominations alongside Judaism, Islam, and other faiths; it also has a notable unaffiliated population
- Maine's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as less religiously affiliated than the national average, with a relatively high share of religiously unaffiliated individuals; affiliated residents are primarily Christian, including Catholic and Protestant
Education Guide When Moving from Maine to DC
Comparison | Maine | DC |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Maine Orono University of Southern Maine Portland Maine Maritime Academy Castine | George Washington University Washington Georgetown University Washington Howard University Washington |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Falmouth Elementary School Falmouth Yarmouth Elementary School Yarmouth Waynflete School Portland | Lafayette Elementary School Washington Janney Elementary School Washington Key Elementary School Washington |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Falmouth Middle School Falmouth Greely Middle School Cumberland Waynflete School Portland | Deal Middle School Washington Hardy Middle School Washington Jefferson Middle School Academy Washington |
Top 3 High Schools | Falmouth High School Falmouth Cape Elizabeth High School Cape Elizabeth Yarmouth High School Yarmouth | Woodrow Wilson High School Washington School Without Walls High School Washington Benjamin Banneker Academic High School Washington |
Top 3 private high schools | Waynflete School Portland Cheverus High School Portland North Yarmouth Academy Yarmouth | St. Albans School Washington Sidwell Friends School Washington Georgetown Day School Washington |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Waynflete School Portland North Yarmouth Academy Yarmouth Cheverus High School Portland | Sidwell Friends School Washington Georgetown Day School Washington National Cathedral School Washington |
Top 3 School Districts | Falmouth School Department Yarmouth Schools Cape Elizabeth School Department | District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) Friendship Public Charter Schools EL Haynes Public Charter School |
How Much Do Maine to DC Movers Cost?
Moving 671 miles from Maine to DC will typically cost between $2,000 and $5,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,000 - $5,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-2 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Mic's Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,345 | 300 ft3 | $4.48 |
1 Bedroom | $1,999 | 450 ft3 | $4.44 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,300 | 750 ft3 | $4.40 |
3 Bedrooms | $4,793 | 1100 ft3 | $4.36 |
4 Bedrooms | $6,904 | 1600 ft3 | $4.31 |
5+ Bedrooms | $7,690 | 1800 ft3 | $4.27 |